Tear Film Analysis in Patients on Chronic Anti-Psychotic Therapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND Dry eye disease is a well-known side effect of antipsychotic therapy which is often neglected due to nonspecific symptoms. Therefore, this study is to analyse tear film dysfunction in patients on chronic antipsychotic therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study was undertaken on 200 eyes of 100 patients who were on chronic anti-psychotic therapy attending the Psychiatry OPD. Out of 100 patients, 65 patients were male, rest 35 were females. Ocular examination was done on all patients which included BCVa, slit lamp evaluation and dry eye evaluation. RESULTS 32 out of 100 patients on chronic anti-psychotic therapy had dry eye disease. 17 (53.13%) out of these 32 patients had symptoms suggestive of dry eye disease. Patients on typical antipsychotics and multidrug regimen showed more prevalence of dry eye. CONCLUSION Nearly 40% patients were in Grade 3 category of dry eye disease, which if not treated on time can lead to further progression and complication of disease. Patients may not come out with symptoms of ocular diseases so it is mandatory to screen these patients to diagnose early and to prevent complications. This study emphasizes on the need to give importance to patients symptoms so that it can be detected earlier before it progresses.